Monday, August 21, 2017

President Trump gave a speech on the war in Afghanistan, stating confidently that "We will win."

Candidate Trump spoke of bugging out and calling it even. He even reiterated this in his speech tonight. President Trump announces a different, secret strategy to achieve victory in Afghanistan. Pulling out now would create a vacuum like the vacuum in Iraq that saw the rise of ISIS. Trump even hinted at the possibility, however remote, of working with the Taliban in achieving victory over the terrorists in Afghanistan.

There seems to be some confusion with what exactly Trump's plans are. He wants to give the military the tools it needs to get the job done, and to let the decisions be made by military leaders, not politicians, which would suggest expanding the war. At the same time he said that "America's patience is not unlimited," and that the Afghan government would have to pay their share of the financial and military burden. Since the Afghan economy is entirely handouts from the US it's impossible for the Afghan government to contribute any money. So, are we in or are we out? Time will tell.